Using Paluwagan safely
A paluwagan is built on trust between people. Here is how to keep yours healthy, and how to spot when something is not right.
Draft, pending review. This is placeholder guidance to show structure and tone, not final policy.
Savings, not an investment
A paluwagan returns exactly what you put in. There is no interest and no profit. If anyone promises that a paluwagan will grow your money, pay returns, or double your contribution, that is a warning sign. Paluwagan is a way to save together, take turns, and reach a lump sum sooner, nothing more.
Join circles you trust
The strength of a paluwagan is the people in it. Join circles with family, friends, officemates, or neighbors you know. Before it begins, make sure everyone agrees on the amount, the schedule, and the payout order, all of which the app shows openly.
Only contribute what you can afford
Choose an amount and schedule that fit your budget comfortably. A paluwagan should help you save, never strain you. If a round is going to be hard for you, talk to your organizer early.
Watch for red flags
- Promises of guaranteed returns, interest, or profit from a paluwagan.
- Pressure to recruit new members to “earn” or to move up the payout order.
- An organizer asking you to send money to them to hold, rather than to the current recipient.
- Amounts or rules that keep changing, or a group that refuses to keep things visible.
Paluwagan is designed to keep everything in the open precisely so these things are easy to notice.
Remember how money moves
Members pay each round’s recipient directly. Paluwagan never holds or moves your money and will never ask you to send funds to us. Recording a payment in the app is a shared note between members, not a transfer made by Paluwagan.
Reporting a problem
If you believe a circle is being run dishonestly, or you see behavior that looks like a scam, stop contributing and reach out to us. You can report concerns on our Contact page or by calling +63 924 372 3044. For matters involving possible fraud, you may also contact your local authorities.
Getting help
Not sure about something? Our FAQ answers the most common questions, and we are always happy to help you understand how a paluwagan works before you join one.